Hounji

A few minutes' walk from Shimizu station in the suburbs of Shizuoka City, Hounji is a small but appealing Buddhist temple, lent a calming atmosphere by the Buddhist statues around the grounds. Some are ancient, worn and weathered after hundreds of years, and some more modern, notably the Kannon (goddess of mercy). There are also interesting wooden carvings of flying guardian lions and dragons, on the gate and under the eaves of the main hall.